Virginia
L. Whelan entered into her heavenlyhome
on Tuesday, July 4, 2017, at the age of 93.

A
lifelong resident of Waukesha, she was born to Dorothy(nee
Bancroft) and Leo Fohey on January 26, 1924. She was the loving sister
to Gloria Messer, Jane Koeppen, Lois Scheets and Jerome Fohey, all of
whom have preceded her in death.

She
was the wife of the late Dr. Edward Whelan, a Waukesha chiropractor,
musician, founder and bandleader of the “Top Hatters Orchestra”
until his death in 1967.

She
was the dearest mother of son Thomas Whelan (Linda), daughter Marsha
(Patrick Cullinane) and son Lee Whelan. She was a loving grandmother to
Shaun Cullinane (Taira), and is also fondly remembered by many nieces,
nephews, relatives and friends.

In
her younger years, Virginia worked as a clerk at Lady Lynn’s Dress
Shop, was employed during the war years at the Universal Milking Machine
Company, and then worked as a stenographer for the Michael Youndt Co.
before she was married in 1947.

During
her marriage, she was devoted to her husband and children and cared
deeply for her parents, brother, sisters and extended family. Visits to
her home, especially at Christmas, with her beautifully decorated tree
and plates of homemade Christmas cookies, were anticipated by family and
friends each year.

She
truly enjoyed the times she spent dancing with her husband as they
listened to live “big band music” in Milwaukee. She was a lover of
music, theater, decorating, gardening and books, and was known for the
lovely hats she wore whether she was at church, out for dinner or
gardening in her yard. She wore them with pride and pleasure throughout
her life.

When
she was suddenly widowed at 45 years of age, she lovingly raised their
three children on her own and overcame many challenges to take on her
husband’s business responsibilities, which included managing two small
rental properties. She could often be seen on a summer evening wearing
her favorite gardening hat, pruning, weeding and grooming the grounds at
her building on Grand Avenue in Waukesha. She was an excellenthedge
trimmer! She proudly and happily performedall
of these tasks wellinto
her 80s.

She
was truly a loving and supportive mother to her children and family and
was kind to all who had the pleasure to meet her. She will forever be
deeply missed and fondly remembered.

The
family would like to thank the caregivers and staff at ManorCare who
gave their special attention, affection and smiles to Virginia. They
would also like to express their gratitude to AngelsGrace Hospice for
the compassionate care and support they gave Virginia in her final
months.

Private
funeral services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations
would be appreciated to the Alzheimer’s Association of Southeastern
Wisconsin,www.alz.org/sewi/.

Church
and Chapel Rudolph-Larsen Bros. Funeral Home is serving the family. For
more information, call 262-549-0659 or visitwww.churchandchapel.comto
view the online obituary, leave condolences or receive directions.

“If
love and prayers can carry one to heaven, we know the angels have
brought you safely home to God and the family that you missed so
dearly.”

“Those
we love are only a thought away, for as long as we hold their memory,
they live in our hearts each day.”